Kalama Sutta
The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of
all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed
through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions
they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply.
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Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.
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Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old
and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.
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Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because
people talk a a great deal about it.
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Do not believe anything because you are shown the written
testimony of some ancient sage.
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Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that,
because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other
wonderful being.
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Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in
its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as
true.
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Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your
teachers and priests.
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But, whatever, after thorough investigation and
reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the
good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that
as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.
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The
same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.
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Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try
it as gold is tried by fire.
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